Police custody management training for frontline officers is being held by Tonga Police, following two deaths in police custody at Mu’a Police Station in July.

Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said following the contrite custodian incidents last month, Tonga Police aims to better its custodial management.

"Being accountable to the need to further develop the frontliner custody management, training commenced today at the Mu’a and Nukunuku stations."

In addition, enhancing support to frontliners is crucial focus to the Tonga Police to better serve the community, he said.

The training package covers modules:

• Tonga Police vision, mission and values

• Custody Management Policy and Guiding Principles
• Responsibilities of arresting officer, custody officer and custody supervisor
• Risk assessments including threats, health and response activities
• Monitoring, observations and engagement with prisoners
• Searching requirements
• Prisoner’s rights in custody
• Consequences of duty failure .

The training continues this week for the Central and Vaini stations and later in the week, the training will move to the outer islands starting, with Vava’u, until all frontline officers' training is completed.

Inquests have determined the two deaths in the police cells were suicides.